My favorite oatmeal-raisin cookies

I grew up adoring these cookies, and I've never found another oatmeal-raisin cookie recipe that's been able to measure up. The recipe is from Sunset magazine, though I'm not sure which issue. If you ask me, the specified amounts for spices are merely starting points--be as liberal as your taste buds demand.

Tailor-Made Chewy Oatmeal Cookies
Makes about 4 dozen

1 c. (2 sticks) butter or margarine, softened
1/2 c. granulated sugar
1 1/2 c. brown sugar, firmly packed
2 large eggs
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 1/2 c. all-purpose flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. ground allspice
1/4 tsp. ground cloves
1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
4 c. rolled oats
1 c. raisins
3/4 c. chopped walnuts (optional)

1. In large bowl of an electric mixer, beat butter and sugars until creamy.
2. Beat in eggs until well-blended, then mix in vanilla.
3. In a separate bowl, stir together flour, salt, soda, and spices.
4. Add dry ingredients to butter mixture, stir well.
5. Stir in oats, raisins, and walnuts (if using) until evenly moistened.
6. Drop dough by rounded tablespoons onto greased baking sheets, about 2" apart.
7. Bake 10-12 minutes at 375 degrees (until golden, but centers soft); transfer to rack to cool.